Aerosol dispenser and valve construction



Jan. 6, 1953 l Mui l. I'? IllH ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES ENT OFFICE AEROSOL DISPENSER AND VALVE CONSTRUCTION G. Rudolph Saacke, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Theodore Heilig, Long Beach, N. Y.

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in dispensers for aerosol mixtures and more particularly in a new dispenser valve and head structure in which the cover of the container and the dispensing valve mechanism are combined in a unique manner.

Pressurizedaerosol dispensers have been widely used for insecticides, germicides, coating materials and other aerosol solutions. At the present time 'the aerosol container of such dispensers in many instances is of the tin can type and the valve is relatively inexpensive, so that it may be sold as a non-reiillable dispenser or as a dispenser Whch may be discarded after its contents have been used.

One of the important problems in the manufacture of such dispensers is the reduction in the cost of manufacturing the dispenser. Some of the costs include, of course, the cost of the metal and the manufacture of the container proper, which cannot be reduced materially below the cost of the present type of can construction. However, the costs of manufacturing the dispenser valve and of its assembly to the container can be considerably reduced and the structure improved.

Some of the valves used for discardable dispensers of the type under consideration have been relatively inexpensive, sometimes to the extent that they were quite unsatisfactory.

The primary object therefore of my invention is to provide a dispenser construction which will be suitable for the purposes referred to and which may be manufactured at reasonable costs by mass production methods.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved dispenser head construction which will be safe and reliable.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved container head and valve structures which are simple to manufacture, assemble and operate.

In accordance with the features of my invention I have discovered that the dispenser valve and container head or cover can be combined in such a way as to provide a safe and reliable structure and at the same time an inexpensive valve construction easy and convenient to assemble. Furthermore the novel structure may be made without the use of screw machines `or other machines for threading or machining operations.

A preferred form of construction of my improved dispenser includes a container of the tin can sheet metal type having a sheet metal head or cover with a central relatively small opening,

a sealing gasket having a central opening of a smaller size than the opening through the cover and mounted under the cover, a casing enclosing the lower portion of the gasket and secured to the underside of the cover around the periphery of the gasket, the casing having a dovvnwardli7 extending portion axially of the opening in the gasket, a ball-type sealing member in the casing normally engaging the lower rim of the opening in the gasket, and a spring in the casing urging the ball-type closure against the gasket. The por-. tion of the gasket casing extending below the gasket also includes a tubular section through which aerosol mixture is conducted from the container, as for example through the usual standpipe or dip tube.

rlhe gasket, the gasket casing, closure and spring are incorporated inside the container cover as a fixed assembly and the cover then secured on the container proper. The valve operating mechanism is mounted outside the conltainer proper and directly above and in connection with the hole in the cover 0r head.

The valve operating mechanism preferably comprises a tubular plunger having an end porticn projecting through the opening in the cover and into the opening in the gasket which it ts snugly, the tubular plunger having an opening in its lower end and a side orice through which the aerosol mixture in the container is sprayed and atomized. When the tubular plunger is pushed down it is` moved through the opening in the gasket to unseat the ball closure and permit aerosol mixture to flow through the tubular plunger, and only therethrough, to the spray orifice in its side wall.

The upper part of the valve mechanism advantageously includes a dome structure of sheet metal for supporting the tubular plunger in position for actuating the valve mechanism. Such dome structure may comprise a casing surrounding the tubular plunger and secured to the container by a snap or similar connection, the dome-like casing including a relatively large outlet opening opposite the spray orifice, and means for orient# ing the tubular plunger so that the spray orifice is always aligned with the outlet in the domelike casing.

My invention includes other features, objects and advantages which will be described in detail hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and illustrating embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical broken sectional View of a dispenser constructed in accordance with the features of my invention in connection with a can type sheet metal container of the crown type, this gure showing the dispenser enlarged to approximately twice its normal dimensions so that the detailed features of construction may be readily illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a view looking down on the actuating means for the tubular plunger of the dispenser.

Fig. 3 is a broken side view showing the upper portion of the valve operating mechanism and spray outlet.

Fig. 4 is a view looking up showing the lower end of the tubular plunger and its inlet opening offset with respect to its axis.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 showing the application of the improved dispenser construction to the dished-head-type of sheet metal can container.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the pressure type aerosol dispenser therein shown comprises a sheet metal crown type can container I similar in external appearance to a known type of container normally closed with a seal cap conventionally used for bottles. The container Il] includes a dished bottom head I2 while its side wall terminates in a relatively small opening provided by a rolled top or bead I4.

The cover for the opening of the container includes a pressed sheet metal member I6 having a rolled rim I8 extending over a rubber composition sealing gasket 20 resting on the roll I4. The cover I6 has a substantially cylindrical side wall which extends slightly below the bead I4 and the under part of the sloping wall 22 of the container I0. The cover IS also includes an integral sheet metal wall 24 which is pierced centrally to provide a central opening surrounded by an upwardly extending flange 26.

The cover member I6 is directly combined with the'valve mechanism and in Fig. 1 this mechanism includes a'composition gasket 28 of synthetic rubber material suitable for resisting the action of any aerosol mixture with which the dispenser may be lled. This gasket 28 is a circular disc having an axial opening normally closed by a ball closure 38. The gasket 28 is mounted directly under the surface 24 of the member I6 so that its opening is axially aligned with the opening provided by the ilange 26. The ball 30 is normally held against the opening in the gasket 28 by means of a spring 32 and the gasket, ball and spring are all enclosed by a casing 34 having the cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 1, which includes an annular ange 36 spot welded to the portion 24 at points 38 suitably spaced to hold the casing 34 in place.

The casing 34 of the valve mechanism also includes a cylindrical portion extending downwardly around the periphery of the gasket 28 and a flat portion 40 covering the lower face of the gasket 28 and serving to press the gasket against the surface of the cover portion 24. Casing 34 also includes a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 42 housing the spring 32 and ball 30 in their correct positions, the spring 32 resting on a shoulder formed by a reduction in diameter of the downwardly extending cylindrical portion of the casing, this portion of reduced diameter 44 having an opening 46 for the admission of aerosol iiuid and having a pressedon standpipe or dip tube 48 which may be of metal or plastic and which extends to the bottom of the container so that any liquid contained 4 therein will be delivered into the tube and through the valve mechanism.

The bottom 24 of the cover I 6 is advantageously pressed and offset upwardly at 58 to provide a recess into which the gasket 28 is readily received for a portion of its thickness. This offset in the cover aids in orienting the gasket 28 when the cover I6 and casing 34 with its contents, are assembled. The horizontal portion 40 of the casing 34 advantageously includes an annular compression ring 52 projecting upwardly against the gasket 28 to insure proper compression of the gasket and sealing when the casing 34 is welded or otherwise secured to the cover I6.

An important advantage of the present invention is the fact that the portion of the valve structure described above may be assembled with the cover i6 before that cover is attached to the container. This cover assembly may therefore be secured to the container after the container has been lled with aerosol solution by simply inserting the cover assembly with the portion I8 overlying the bead I4 and gasket 28, then with nothing at all in the cover I6 except the slightly projecting ilange 26 a tool is inserted within the vertical cylindrical wall to press a bead 54 outwardly from the periphery of the cover side of the wall adjacent to wall 24, under the bead I4 against the wall 22 so that rim I8 is pulled down, the cover locked in and good seal provided. At this point the container and valve mechanism carried by the cover I G may be tested for leakage by immersion in water.

It will be understood of course that the containers may be lled after the cover I 8 is secured in place by forcing the aerosol mixture through the valve mechanism and opening 46, this, however, being a much slower procedure than the iilling of the containers with refrigerated mixture before applying the cover mechanism I 6.

The means for operating the ball 30 and spraying aerosol mixture from the container as shown in Fig. l of the drawings comprises a unitary assembly which is simply snapped onto the iilled container as described above, this assembly being shown in Fig, 1 as comprising a tubular plunger 56 extruded to the shape illustrated extending vertically through the opening provided by the ange 2G and the corresponding opening in the gasket 28. This plunger is provided with an offset lower opening 58, or other suitable structure, through which aerosol mixture flows from around the ball 30, into the tube such mixture being discharged as a ne mist or spray through an orice 68 in the side wall of the tubular plunger at a point substantially above the rim I8. Fig. 1 shows the plunger 56 in depressed position so that the ball 30 is unseated with respect to the gasket 28.

The tubular plunger 56 is supported in upright position by a hood-like casing 62 which has a lower cylindrical portion 64 and an upper axially offset cylindrical portion 66 having a side cut away opposite the orifice 60 to provide a relatively large spray outlet 68. The offset places this out closer to the orice than it otherwise would be. The casing 62 is pressed and cut from sheet metal so that it includes a cover portion 10 having a D-shaped opening 12 for receiving a D-shaped extension 'I4 pressed from a sheet metal actuating cap 16. The upper end of the tubular plunger 56 is D-shaped and adapted to receive the D-shaped projection 14 which is press fit into place to permanently connect the elements 56 and 'I6 together and provide an upper It will be noted that when the cap 'iS'.is-presseddown as shown in Fig. 1, the top rim of itheplunger 56. is somewhat below. the cover 'Hl but that when theiplungeris releasedV as indicated in Fig. 3, the. upper edge of the tubular plunger 5.5 is moved to a point adjacent the cover l0. which serves as a stop. In. this position the lower end of theV plunger 56. as shown in Fig. may be slightly above the ball 3i! or merely resting lightly on the ball 3Q while the ball is seatedagainst the gasket 28. When the actuating cap I6 is actuated downwardly as in Fig. l andk then released, the spring 32- acts to not only seat the ball 3l! but also to elevate the tubular plunger 55 and the cap I6 substantially to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

It will be noted from the foregoing description of the valve actuating mechanism' that when the tubular plunger 56 is press fit to the projection 14, these elements are permanently assembled to the hood-like casing G2 and that the orice @Si is oriented with respect. to the large opening B8. The lled containerscontaining the covers with the valve assemblies may be provided with the valve operatingV mechanism by simply inserting the tubular 'section @4 intoA the cylindrical wall of the cover |16. while at the same time inserting tubular plunger 56 throughthe opening provided by the flange 25. The. cylindrical wall 64 is provided with outwardly projecting pimples 18 which snap into the recess resulting from the formation ofthe annular bead or beadsv 54.. By making the valve actuating mechanism separate from' the container cover and combined valve closure mechanism, it is possible to conveniently seal the container and provide a very inexpensive structure which is easily and inexpensively assembled.

The invention may be applied to different types of sheet steel or can-type containers, as illustrated by the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 5. In this View the container 8@ which is a cylindrical-type container having dished heads which are rolled in for sealing and closure purposes. container 3H is provided with a dished head 8.2 having a valve assembly substantially identical to that described above in connection with Figs. 1 to e o-f the drawings. For example, it will be noted that the head Si, before being secured to the container 8!! is provided with an upwardly pressed section M. and a central flange 86 forming an opening for reception of the tubular plunger 5B as in Fig. l. The valve mechanism comprising the casing 313, gasket 28 and other elements are assembled under the head 82 the same as in Fig. 1, the flange 36 being spot welded at 88 to the head 32.

In this modification of the apparatus the hoodlike casing 52 carrying the valve actuating and spraying mechanism is secured to the head of the container after the container is filled and tested, the head being rolled on and secured to the cylindrical wall of the container, as for example by the sealing roll 90. The securing means as illus- In the present instance the including acylindrical flange 94 having an annular recess 9G into which internal pimples 98 on the lower portion of the casing 62 are snapped when the hood structure is set in place on container head.

In the apparatus as shown in Fig. 5, the valve elements comprising the` gasket, ball, lspring and casing, are advantageously assembled on the cover, after which the container is lled with refrigerated aerosol mixture, as for example, a coating composition, insecticide or other mixture, and then. t-he cover is placed on the cylindrical part of the container and rolled or pressed thereon in accordance with thev usual procedure to form the bead or roll 99- which may include a rubber or other composition gasket as in Fig-1. l. The hood-like casing structure including the tubular plunger is assembled on the container after the container has been tested. The assembly in this way, in either modication, leaves the cover free for closing operations without any hindrance from the valve operating mechanism.

The improved dispenser construction of the present invention not only provides a new and improved dispenser apparatus in which the gasket and ball closure are mounted under the cover, but also a dispenser construction in which a tubular plunger is provided for unseating the ball closure of the valve and effectively conducting away and atomizing the released mixture, since in each instance the tubular plunger is sealed with respect to the gasket which in turn is used for sealing the container. The single washer-like gasket as shown therefore acts as a valve seat, a seal for the tubular plunger and as a seal for the container.

The improved dispenser mechanism may be.

constructed and assembled from sheet metal by pressing, rolling and other simple operations without the use of a screw machine or other machines of that type.

The opening provided in the cover of the container by the flange 26 in either form of the invention is preferably somewhat larger than the opening in the gasket so that the plunger tube 5B can move freely through the opening in the cover and seal tightly in the gasket. In fact the portion of the plunger tube adjacent the end which extends into the opening of the gasket is advantageously enlarged so that when the plunger is depressed the enlarged portion will begin to enter the gasket and increase the effectiveness of the seal.

The safety factor of the dispenser construction of the present invention is increased by the fact that ball 30 is made larger than the opening in the cover as provided by the flange 25. Therefore, if for any reason the gasket should be dissolved or accidentally or intentionally moved the ball will come up and seal against the underside of the cover and close the opening formed by `the flange 25. In providing the opening in the end of the plunger tube 56 adjacent the ball 30 this opening may comprise a slit which extends through the end wall of the tube.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a dispensing apparatus including a sheet metal container, a thin sheet metal cover for the container having an opening therethrough centrally of the cover, a valve structure combined with the thin metal cover and including a thin sheet metal casing means secured to the lower portion of the cover concentric to said opening,

a spring and ball closure mounted in said casing below said cover for controlling the flow of fluid from the container, said sheet metal casing means including a lower tubular portion adapted to have a dip tube connected thereto, an orifice in the lower end of said tubular portion, and a cylindrical portion concentrically arranged with respect to andlabove said lower tubular portion and in which said spring and ball are mounted, a sealing gasket having a centrally arranged opening therethrough mounted beneath the cover inside said casing with its opening axially aligned with respect to the opening in the cover, a tubular plunger for actuating said ball having one end portion arranged in the opening in the cover and the gasket, the side wall of the tubular plunger being in sealing engagement with respect to the wall of the opening in the gasket, said end of the tubular plunger having a passageway eX- tending thereinto for the flow of fluid material from the container when the ball is actuated by depressing the plunger, and a spray oriiice connected into the opposite end portion Aof the plunger.

2. In an apparatus for dispensing iiuids including a container, a thin sheet metal cover for the container having an opening therethrough, a valve Structure combined with the sheet metal cover and including a sealing gasket having an opening therethrough and mounted below the cover with its opening axially aligned with that of the cover, a valve closure means mounted under and seated against the gasket adapted to close the opening in the gasket, a spring for urging the closure means to its seat, a thin sheet metal casing welded to the lower portion of the cover around the gasket and in engagement therewith for retaining the gasket against the lower portion of the cover, the closure means and the spring being enclosed in said casing and held thereby in position under the gasket and cover, a hollow tubular plunger having one end extending through the opening in the cover and adapted to be moved in the opening in the gasket, the side wall of said end sealing with respect to the Wall of the opening in the gasket, said tubular plunger having a passageway through its end wall facing the closure means for the ow of iiuid material thereinto, said tubular plunger being adapted to be moved into engagement with the valve closure means to unseat it so that fluid will ow through the opening in the gasket and through said passageway into the hollow plunger, and a spray orifice means connected into the upper portion of the hollow tubular plunger and through which iiuid material is adapted to be sprayed.

3. An apparatus for dispensing fluids as claimed in claim 2, including means for retaining the hollow tubular plunger in upright operative position with respect to the cover and valve closure means, and means cooperating with said retaining means for removably holding the retaining means on the container, whereby the tubular plunger is readily assembly in operative position on the container and readily removed therefrom.

G. RUDOLPH SAACKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 710,674 Fassmann Oct. 7, 1902 799,454 Cordner Sept. 12, 1905 1,800,156 Rotheim Apr. 7, 1931 2,322,183 Ward June 15, 1943 2,322,877 Parker June 29, 1943 2,328,863 Threm Sept. 7, 1943 2,351,751 Fruin et al June 20, 1944 2,369,356 Koehn Feb. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 366,626 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1932 

